How McGillis School Reimagined Tuition to Support Teachers and Sustainability (2024)

This episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast was originally released in October 2024 and is sponsored by Blackbaud.

Blackbaud helps independent schools unify admissions, advancement, academics, and finance so leaders spend less time chasing data and more time leading. Visit https://blackbaud.com to learn more.

Visit the episode page for all of our episode resources: https://www.moonshotos.com/transparency-in-action-summer-2025.

Jim Brewer, Head of The McGillis School, talks about their innovative approach to pricing and sustainability. He shares the journey McGillis embarked on to align tuition rates with teacher compensation and long-term financial stability.

From transparency in financial goals to data-driven insights, Jim details how McGillis School used a strategic tuition model to enhance its program quality and teacher retention.

For school leaders looking to balance growth with sustainability, this episode offers practical lessons on engaging the community in financial planning and the power of storytelling in institutional leadership.

What You'll Learn from Jim Brewer:

Understand the Market: Jim Brewer emphasizes the need for school leaders to know their market, including the community’s willingness and capacity to pay tuition.

Transparency Builds Trust: McGillis School gained family support for tuition increases to improve teacher salaries and sustainability by being open about financial goals and constraints.

Strategic Use of Tuition: McGillis identified tuition adjustments as a necessary lever for long-term viability, balancing competitive teacher pay with sustainable enrollment.

Collaborative Decision-Making: Engaging trustees, faculty, and families in decisions about tuition and compensation helped align goals across stakeholders.

Data-Driven Insights: Tools like NAIS workshops and market benchmarking informed McGillis’s financial strategies, making changes more palatable to the community.

Discussion Prompts

How does our school’s tuition structure support (or hinder) our financial and strategic goals?

What steps can we take to engage our community in transparent conversations about financial planning?

How can we assess the willingness and capacity of our families to support tuition increases aimed at sustainability?

What role does our board play in leading these conversations, and how can we leverage their support effectively?

How might we adapt some of McGillis School’s strategies around compensation and tuition to support our faculty and financial goals?